We are dedicated to providing quality lifelong care to children with highly complex genitourinary conditions that involve abnormalities of the bladder, urethra, vagina and anorectum.

Our mission is to provide excellent, innovative care that improves the medical and quality-of-life outcomes of children and families living with complex conditions of the genitourinary systems. Our care is centered in compassion, integrity and regard for your child and family and is designed to meet the needs of families as partners in the care team. We strive to provide care that is safe, effective and family-centered with respect for the dignity and individuality of your child and family.

Outstanding Care

Our team includes doctors, nurse practitioners, nurses, social workers and psychologists. Our clinical staff is recognized nationally and internationally for expertise in patient care, clinical and laboratory research, and surgical education. Our excellent patient outcomes have been demonstrated in numerous papers published in professional medical journals.

Our skilled urologists have extensive experience in the medical and surgical management of complex genitourinary conditions. We perform surgical reconstruction of even the most complicated conditions arising from congenital malformations, trauma and cancer. We are particularly well known for expertise in the evaluation and treatment of urologic conditions associated with anorectal malformation. We also have a unique experience in the management of kidney disease related to bladder dysfunction, including surgical reconstruction for pre-transplant preparation and renal transplantation.

National and International Patients

We treat patients from our local area, across the nation and around the world. We understand the unique stresses of long-distance care and make every effort to arrange a comprehensive, coordinated visit with your child’s multidisciplinary care team. We are also interested in collaborating with your local physicians to care for your child both here and at home. We have several resources that may assist you in your travel and visit, including Guest Services, the Family Resource Center and the International Patient Care Program.

We provide ongoing multidisciplinary evaluation, medical care and treatment in collaboration with nephrology as needed. Our office is involved in ongoing clinical outcomes research to study urinary stones.

The clinic is devoted to caring for children who have various bladder and urinary tract complaints. Our program evaluates and treats hundreds of children with daytime and nighttime wetting. We also see children with urinary symptoms such as frequency, urgency, painful urination and recurrent urinary tract infections. If your child is experiencing any of these complaints, you should discuss this with your pediatric or family practice primary care provider.

Daytime Wetting (Diurnal Enuresis)

Children after the age of toilet training (4 to 5 years old) can have wetting accidents during the day. Some of the common causes of daytime wetting include constipation, bladder spasms, infrequent urination and urinary tract infections. Daytime wetting can happen when a child is attempting to run to the bathroom (urge incontinence), during exercise (stress incontinence), while laughing (giggle incontinence) or immediately after urination (post void dribbling).

Nighttime Wetting (Nocturnal Enuresis)

Bedwetting tends to run in families and is considered genetic in most cases. Bedwetting can persist from the time of toilet training or may occur after a child has been dry at night for several years. Bedwetting is common in children through age 5 and not considered abnormal unless daytime urinary symptoms exist. Punishment is not appropriate or helpful in treating bedwetting. Punishment can only contribute to the child’s poor self-esteem. Achieving dryness through supportive and positive treatment is more beneficial and contributes to improving the child’s self-worth.

Our Healthy Bladder Team includes five nurse practitioners and a pediatric nephrologist. A pediatric nephrologist is a doctor who specializes in the care of children with kidney and bladder diseases. Nurse practitioners are registered nurses with an advanced degree and special training. These individuals work with the urologists at Cincinnati Children’s to provide excellent care for your child.

First Appointment

When you and your child come to the first appointment, the nurse practitioner or physician will take a complete medical history. Your child will also have a physical exam. A urine sample will be obtained. It is important to complete the urinary and bowel diary that you receive in the mail before your child comes to the first visit and bring it to the visit.

If you receive the diaries at the first visit, please complete them and bring them to your child's first follow-up visit. This simply requires you to document your child’s urinary and bowel habits. After your child has been examined, some testing may be recommended. After your child’s visit and testing, a treatment plan will be recommended.

Each child is different and each treatment is developed for the individual needs of that child. Treatment may include behavior changes, biofeedback, bowel management, medications and positive reinforcement.

Our multidisciplinary care programs allow our patients and their family to see multiple specialists on one day, in one clinic, at one location. Each specialist has a unique perspective about your child’s condition and potential treatment options. The specialists will meet as a team to create with the patient and family a coordinated plan of care.